Football team misses win again

By FAITH MOLDAN

Bigfork Eagle

Bigfork and Whitefish fans packed the bleachers in Bigfork Friday night to watch their winless teams duke it out for their first W of the season.

The Whitefish Bulldogs stole the Vikes' thunder, recording their first win and leaving Bigfork winless at their own homecoming.

Bigfork, now 0-4 on the season, started the game with freshman quarterback Christian Ker but much of the usual starting lineup. Ker ended the game with three of 17 pass attempts completed and one interception. That lineup had a hard time shutting down the Whitefish offense, as it scored on its first drive of the game.

"We have five freshmen starting. That makes a difference in the middle of the season. Some players were playing their first game in a new position." Bigfork coach Bruce Corbett said.

The Vikes' usual starting quarterback, Carson Sneed, sat out the game with a sprained ankle.

Byron Whitcomb returned the Vikes' kickoff past midfield for Whitefish. Matt Starr continued the Bulldogs' offensive strike with a carry for a Whitefish first down. The Bulldogs stalled there, at the Vikes' 31-yard line, with a holding penalty and short gains by Whitcomb and Starr. Whitefish's quarterback Alex Elespuru was undaunted though, and connected with Starr on a roll option for six points.

The Vikes struggled offensively, earning their first first down on a Donny Tudahl carry in the third quarter. Bigfork's three points came on a 27-yard field goal by Stephen Hibbs in the fourth quarter. Hibbs also had seven tackles - four unassisted and three assisted. Chance Anderson completed four tackles. The Vikes began the quarter with the ball on the Bulldogs' 7-yard line.

Mason Shoultz, who went in at the quarterback position late in the game, connected with Brad Bell to make it third and goal near the 5-yard line. Shoultz completed five of seven passes. Bell finished the night with 14 carries for 28 yards and one fumble recovery. After another short gain, the Vikes opted for a field goal on fourth and goal. The field goal made the score 3-26 with 9:48 left on the clock and in the game.

"This is the third week in a row that we out-paced our opponent in the second half," Corbett said. "We're just not playing well in the second quarter."

Corbett credited the Vikes' good conditioning for their improved play in the second half.

"Our opponents get tired and worn out. We need to find a way to stop the mistakes that extend the score," he said.

Tudahl, Andrew Whittaker and Bell moved the ball throughout the game, but were met by Bulldogs after just a few yards. Bigfork is third in the Northwest A division with 103 carries for 555 yards. That equals out to an average of 5.39 yards per carry and 138.75 yards per game. Bigfork has had two rushing touchdowns this season.

The ball didn't move any better early in the game when the Vikes went to the air. Ker's pass to Whittaker with about five minutes left in the first quarter was nearly picked off by Whitefish.

The Bulldogs moved the ball downfield, this time with Aaron Tkachyk doing the carrying. Starr continued to carry the ball well. He was stopped short of the end zone by Shoultz with just under five minutes left in the first quarter. He scored on the next play to make the score 0-13.

Bigfork recovered its first of three fumbles late in the first quarter. After defensive pressure and coverage on the Bulldogs from Whittaker and Tudahl, the Vikes recovered a fumble with 3:09 on the clock. Tudahl had 21 carries for 73 yards. He also recorded four tackles and a fumble recovery. The recovery gave the Vikes the ball on their own 28-yard line. Whittaker moved the ball up a few yards, before the Bigfork quarterback was sacked with 2:03 remaining. On third down and 16 to go, Bigfork was stuck at the 24-yard line and Whitefish gained control of the ball.

The Vikes' second fumble recovery happened shortly thereafter. Brandon McDonald was one of the three Vikes to recover a fumble. The Bulldogs were plugging away at gaining yardage, but the ball slipped out with 23.1 seconds left in the first quarter. Bigfork took over on the 35-yard line and started the second quarter with third down and five yards to go on the 40-yard line after two Tudahl carries.

Whitefish didn't have far to go for its final TD of the first half. Bigfork's punt on fourth down and 16 to go on Bigfork's 27-yard line, went into the hands of Whitcomb. He returned the ball 55 yards with 2:46 remaining in the first half.

The teams both recorded interceptions as the first half wound down. Seth Wiley picked off a Bigfork pass with 2:31 on the clock after Whittaker returned Whitefish's punt to the 26-yard line. Whittaker is second in the division for punt returns. He averages 19.25 yards each return.

Two plays later, it was Whittaker's turn. He intercepted the ball, but the Vikes fumbled the ball before they could take advantage of the interception.

"We really thought that would be our first win," Corbett said of the homecoming game.

Bigfork faces 0-2, 2-2, Polson tomorrow night, Sept. 28 in Polson. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Whitefish 7 13 6 0 - 26

Bigfork 0 0 0 3 - 3

W - Matt Starr 6 run (Brad Nielsen kick)

W - Starr 3 run (kick failed)

W - Byron Whitcomb 55 punt return (Nielsen kick)

W - Aaron Tkachyk 21 run (run failed)

B - FG Stephen Hibbs 29